Indonesia has agreed to help Thailand find a solution to violence plaguing the southern part of the country.
Indonesian Foreign Ministry director for East Asia and Pacific affairs Yuri Thamrin said Thai leaders had asked the Indonesian government for suggestions on how to overcome conflict in several Muslim-majority provinces in the south.
"As a good neighbor, we have accepted Thailand‘s request. We will support a peaceful solution within the framework of Thailand‘s territorial integration as we have had some similar experiences, such as finding a solution to the conflict in Aceh,".
Yuri confirmed the visit of military coup leader Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin to Indonesia last week to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Indonesian Military commander Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto was partly to request Indonesia‘s support.
He said Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont also said he hoped Indonesia could be involved in finding a peaceful solution to the problem when he visited the country several months ago.
Yuri said Indonesian officials and religious leaders had established communication with residents and leaders in southern Thailand.
"Our religious leaders have talked with Southern Thai leaders to identify the source of the problem," he said.
Thailand‘s three southernmost provinces are the only Muslim-majority provinces in the predominately Buddhist country. Since 2004, they have been the site of an insurgency that has led to more than 2,200 deaths.
Aside from the fact Indonesia is the world‘s most populous Muslim nation, its involvement in solving the crisis is seen as important by observers due to alleged links between Muslim militants in Indonesia and southern Thailand.
Allegations of such links have focused on training and indoctrination Thai Muslim militants may have received in Indonesia. However, recent reports have suggested Indonesians may also be in southern Thailand training insurgents and taking part in their activities.
Meanwhile, a group of 63 Thai Muslims from the south met last week in Yogyakarta with Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Muhammadiyah, the country‘s second largest Islamic organization, to discuss ways to cooperate to solve the conflict.
"This was a follow-up to my meeting with Thai King Bhumibol and other Thai leaders last June. The King has explicitly asked Indonesia to help solve the conflict. That‘s why we are willing to help," Din said.
But Din said Muhammadiyah wanted to play a larger and more active role if it was to be involved in finding a solution to the conflict.
He said Muhammadiyah was eager to send teachers and trainers to southern Thailand, as well as offer Thai Muslims scholarships.
"The main problem is the economic gap between the southern part and northern part (of the country). The south has been left behind by the north. In addition, ethnic and religious factors are also a trigger for separatism. That‘s why we need to address these issues," Din said.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com (15 Agustus 2007)